Fulham eager to sign Targett

Fulham are hoping to persuade Southampton to allow Matt Targett to move to Craven Cottage on a permanent basis this summer, according to a report in the Daily Star.

The newspaper suggests that Slavisa Jokanovic has made securing the signatures of Fulham’s two January loan signings – Aleksandar Mitrovic and Targett – one of his top priorities as the Londoners begin their planning for the Premier League after beating Aston Villa in the Championship play-off final last weekend. Targett enjoyed a terrific loan spell in south west London, starring at left back as the Whites put together a 23-match unbeaten run that saw them finish third in the table. The 22 year-old made 21 appearances – scoring at Bolton Wanderers – after joining Fulham in January and formed a formidable partnership with teenage sensation Ryan Sessegnon down the left flank.

Targett is reportedly open to making his move to Fulham permanent, having previously disclosed that he hadn’t received any contact from his parent club after moving to London on loan. Much depends on how Saints manager Mark Hughes intends to reshape his squad having saved Southampton from relegation and whether he can keep hold of England international Ryan Bertrand as the club’s first-choice left back.